System and method for formatting, proofreading and annotating information to be printed in directories

Abstract

A method and apparatus for formatting and annotating a directory data file is provided. The directory data file is formatted into an electronic file or files in order to permit a user to easily search and review the pages and/or items of interest to the user. In addition, the user reviewing the pages and/or items may provide comments or other instructions regarding corrections to be made to specific pages or entries on pages within the directory. Files formatted according to the invention may be accessed locally or remotely on a variety of different media.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for electronically formatting and displaying directory information comprising the steps of: 
 generating a first computer-readable file of a telephone directory that is stored in a first file format;    converting the first file into a second computer-readable file of a telephone directory that is stored in a second file format;    generating thumbnail images of each page of the telephone directory that is to be printed;    generating a computer-searchable index of the second file, wherein the index includes names and telephone numbers of the entries to be published in the telephone directory;    generating a plurality of links that are associated with the second file and identify the locations of headings within the second file;    dividing said second file into at least two files and storing the at least two files in the second file format; and    displaying on a computer display a portion of a telephone directory with information obtained from one of the at least two files, wherein the portion of the telephone directory that is displayed is representative of a physical page of the telephone directory that is to be printed.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of logically associating data within the at least two files with a letter of the alphabet.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of dividing said second file into at least two files further requires dividing said second file into twenty-six separate files, each of which includes the data that is logically associated with a letter of the alphabet.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of creating a cover page of the directory that may be used to automatically launch a search engine to search data contained within the index.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of creating a cover page that contains sufficient information to allow an operator to launch a search engine to search data contained within the at least two files.  
     
     
         6 . A method for electronically proofreading a telephone directory that is to be printed comprising the steps of: 
 generating a computer-readable file of a telephone directory and storing the file on a data server;    establishing a connection between the personal computer and the server over a network;    searching an index for a specific entry in the telephone directory;    displaying an image on the personal computer by using information stored on the data server, wherein the image is representative of at least a portion of a telephone directory page that corresponds to the desired entry;    determining whether the specific entry is accurate; and    it the specific entry contains an inaccuracy, adding an annotation to the computer-readable file located on the data server while not changing any data previously stored in the computer-readable file.    
     
     
         7 . A system for electronically proofreading a telephone directory that is to be printed comprising: 
 means for converting a telephone directory data file that may be printed into a computer file that may be displayed on a personal computer;    means for indexing the telephone directory data file;    means for displaying directories that have been formatted with the means for formatting;    means for selecting at least one of the displayed directories to proofread;    means for searching at least one index to be searched; and    means for annotating a particular entry within the displayable computer file with information that indicates any changes that must be made to that entry.    
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein the telephone directory data file that may be printed is an Encapsulated Post-Script file.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein the means for converting is the Distiller module of Adobe Acrobat.  
     
     
         10 . A method for electronically previewing information and reporting errors comprising the steps of: 
 displaying on an electronic display an image of information that is to be printed in a directory;    reviewing the displayed image for any errors in the information;    displaying on the electronic display an electronic form that contains a plurality of predetermined fields for entering data relating to any errors in the information, wherein said portions of said form and said image are simultaneously visible on said display;    determining a list of people to whom the error data should be reported; and    electronically transmitting a message to the list of people, said message including the data relating to any errors.